It's been more than two years since then, and he's ready to start a new life, with Laurie, a beautiful, passionate woman who he met when she was working for his doctor's clinic as a receptionist. As the book opens, they're on their honeymoon in California, taking in the sights of Los Angeles... until one day there's a message for Macklin. It's his past calling. His old boss, Mr. Major, wants him to do one more job, and he doesn't take no for an answer. And just to make sure Macklin does his job, Major has one of his other people keep Macklin's new bride company. Macklin's off to San Antonio, where he's got to snuff out a bookie. He does it, and covers his tracks, but he's not finished. While Macklin's been doing Major's dirty work, Laurie's trying to shake off Abilene, a lanky, half-charming rustic who seems all right -- until Laurie tries to bolt from his car and he clips her on the mouth.

From then on things turn ugly, and we realize that this is no honeymoon for Macklin or Laurie. They're both fighting for their lives, as Macklin tries to escape a tightening web of police, while Laurie just tries to stay alive. Estleman's portrayal of the criminal mind, the subculture of crime and law-enforcement in this country, with its subtle interplay of legal, moral, and financial forces, has never been sharper. He keeps the reader on the edge of his seat as the deranged Abilene shows his sinister edge more and more clearly as the